Hello Viewers

Sorry for the lack of updates everyone,

I have sad news. I will not be posting for a while. I need to finish school and I have a bunch of other stuff going on. But never fear I am sure beckyelsie will still be posting her monthly review. And hopefully near the end of summer I can come back in.

I feel really bad about this but it is not permanent. I just have had so much going on. The Play, School, Drivers Ed(which i just completed).  I need a break for a while.

~Sweetie Pie

The Hunger Games

Directed by Gary Ross

I'm sure that every movie-going person in America has heard of this movie, particularly if you're in the age range of 9-20. This was a well-made movie. Some people didn't like the shaky camera, including me, but it was necessary during the violent parts, otherwise this movie would have earned a worse rating. As it is, this is a gruesome movie and needs to be watched with caution (same with reading the books). The most disturbing part of this movie that differentiates it from other violent films is that these are human children (not monsters, or adults). Granted, these kids are not at fault; they are forced to do by the evil government. Nonetheless, there are "Careers" who are trained particularly for this killing. This is a movie that can be disturbing and can serve as either a warning for our future or as a desensitizing movie to make today's young people okay with violence.
Family and friendship is portrayed well in this movie, and Katniss (the heroine) strikes up an alliance with a younger tribute named Rue, becoming distraught when she dies.
There is a romantic element in this movie, but only one kiss. There are also a few bad words, and frightening images (in particular, wounds, hallucinations, and giant mutts).
This is as accurate a movie-to-film adaption as I think could be expected. The book has simply too many elements and stories for them all to make them into the movie. Suzanne Collins, the author of the trilogy, was involved in the movie and though there are parts I feel they could have done better (such as the mutts) it was in general, a very satisfactory experience as a fan of the books. The book proves a particular challenge because it's written in first person and Katniss gives the reader many background stories and explanations that are more difficult to portray in a movie. The actors were all fantastic and truly embodied the characters, from the main characters to the more minor characters.
This is a movie that might be confusing to those who haven't read the books first, and will probably be enjoyed most by the readers, but both the books and movie should be read and watched with a pinch of salt and discernment, recognizing that humans could become this depraved, but with the hope that we have in Christ, we don't have to be despondent. We are not given a "spirit of timidity, but of power and love..." (2 Timothy 1:7).
Review by beckyelsie

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (2012)

Directed by Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda

This was a very cute film and even with its obvious message, it was enjoyable. There is a message that skips subtlety and just goes to the point: killing trees is bad. In the movie, we see the extreme of progress: a city where everything is plastic. Because of the pollution and smog in the air, the citizens buy purified air (like purified water, it comes in plastic bottles) and never explore outside of their city limits. We are introduced to Ted and Audrey, two young people. Ted loves Audrey and Audrey loves trees, so Ted sets out to find a tree to make her fall in love with him. This was more of a cute aspect than a main focus of the film. The main focus was Ted and Audrey's fight for nature against the big business (Mr. O'Hare, who sold the purified air; he is against trees because they make good air "for free"). There were many musical numbers that were entertaining to watch (it's a very brightly-colored movie) but I noticed something interesting: neither Taylor Swift nor Zac Efron had lead singing roles. The animation was well-done and the storyline, though simple and cliche, was not a bad knock-off; it sought to make the plot its own. And true to the Dr. Seuss way, the trees, animals, and names are all nonsensical and fun. I recommend this as a wonderful and innocent family film to see, and its environmental message is no worse than Bambi.

Review by Beckyelsie

Sergeant York (1941)

Directed by Howard Hawks

This was a wonderful tale of Christianity, faith, and saving lives. This is a story about York, a man who ekes a living on a rocky farm in the mountains of Tennessee. When he is drafted for World War I, he tries to be exempted using his faith because he believes that God doesn't want him to kill. However, he goes to camp and immediately astounds with his sharpshooting accuracy. A superior officer explains how he can reconcile his faith and war, resulting in him becoming a celebrated war hero. And he gets a bonus: his girl is still waiting for him at home.

This is a black and white film, but the acting is good and the story is entertaining. It is a good Christian testimony, as well as being a historical account. There really was a Sergeant York, who wrote a book about his life and this movie is an adaption of that book. It shows how York's life went from being a drunken man to a devout war hero, who was still satisfied with simple life in the mountains.

One conversation in particular stood out to me near the end of this film. York explains that he won't do any of the promotional offers (cereal boxes, commercials, endorsements) because he didn't consider it right to be paid for doing his duty and for doing what any man in his situation would have done. Instead he goes home, which I think is an amazing testimony to York's character.

I recommend this movie, but it is violent (it's about WWI...).

Review by Beckyelsie

Red Tails(2012)

Directed by Anthony Hemingway

This movie was released just yesterday. I went with my youth group because this is my youth leader's movie. David Oyelowo in my opinion was the best character in the movie. He had the most parts, and the best action sequences. But the to better know actors get there name on the poster. Hopefully this movie will pushed David up in the star meter.

The story is set in Italy, 1944, WWII is in full swing. The Tuskegee airmen though, have yet to be sent to the front lines. At this point in time people were extremely racist. The White would say that they are stupid.  But the Tuskegee airmen are out to prove the whites wrong.

David plays the character who cannot not listen to the rules. But most of the time he succeeds in either taking down a German fighter, or a German Destroyer, or the like.

This movie made me cry, a lot. But that might be because its an emotional movie and my youth leader is in it.

This movie for me was absolutely spectacular. Some of the acting was a little bland, But David's(this isn't just my view) was amazing.
This movie does have frightening moments. There is a lot of blood and explosions, and a couple of deaths. But for Teens and Adults it is an amazing movie.

Review by Sweetie Pie

P.S. My youth leader is the one with the sunglasses. His name is also squished near the bottom.

Inherit the Wind(1960)

Directed by Stanley Kramer

This movie was taken from the Scopes Monkey Trials in 1925.

The movie begins with a young teacher teaching on the evolution of man from a lower being. Which was outlawed. Bert Cates is arrested and awaited his trial.
Two very influential lawyers are put of the case. Henry Drummond, an atheist, and Matthew Harrison Brady, a God-fearing man.

Drummond is the defender, DBrady is the prosecutor.

This movie is NOT an accurate depiction of the actual scopes trial.
It is sad to see how Hollywood twists the truth to the way the want it.
After I watched this, I read a booklet from Answers in Genesis about it.
It was depressing to see the change.
Even without reading the booklet, I was sadden at the way Christians were portrayed in the movie. It made us seem like stupid, ignorant, naive children, who don't do anything but hate other people who do not have the same beliefs. That is not what most Christians are like.

I encourage you to watch this movie because it is what most people say happened during the scopes trials, but research after you watch it.


Reviewed by Sweetie Pie

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Directed by Tim Story

This is the sequel to Fantastic Four, which is based off of a Marvel comic.

This was a good movie, especially seeing how it is a sequel. The characters continued to grow and new enemies were introduced. For a while, the silver surfer is a bad guy, but that later gets called into question. What exactly are his motives? And will Reed's passion for science conflict with his love for Susan? Jonny matures even more during this movie, even offering some deep thoughts on how he would like to "have someone" (instead of flirting with endless girls) the way that Ben has Alicia.

This movie was a good family movie, offering plenty of relationship complications, action, and special effects. As a warning, there is a scene where Susan ends up on the floor naked (though nothing super inappropriate is seen) as well as Jonny implying something inappropriate. However, the movie quality, plot, and acting are all phenomenal. In other words, I love this movie, and everyone should see it.

Review by Beckyelsie